Farm Progress

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac's son is eager to go along with Dad.

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac, Bloggers

November 20, 2018

2 Min Read
FUTURE FARMER: Cole Reskovac, 2, is learning how to farm at an early age, along with potty training.Photo courtesy of Mike and Sheilah Rescovac

Farming is a never-ending learning process. Whether it is learning how to deal with changing weather patterns, a new pesticide or seed genetics, there is always something new.

One of the biggest things I have learned to do this fall is adapt to a potty-training toddler riding in the combine.

Last year, he was still in diapers, so it wasn’t a big deal just to stop and change him if he was wet. This year, though, he decided that it was time to use the potty. Now, I’ve learned to stop the combine and get him down to the field as soon as I hear, "Ah Daddy, I pee!"

Pull-ups are helpful but not as easy to change as a diaper when you’re out in the field. Luckily, he thinks it is great to pee in the field.

I’ve also learned to make sure I have extra supplies in my truck: snacks, extra wipes, pull-ups, pants. Sheilah usually sends him with a Daniel Tiger backpack full of the necessary supplies, but I have walked out of the house a few times with nothing and haven’t realized it until the little guy says "Daddy? Num nums?" Then it hits me: I didn’t bring any snacks.

Cole loves riding in the combine, but I only take him when mom’s list of requirements are met. What are the requirements? I have to have cell phone service, he has to be in a car seat, no harvesting steep areas or overly muddy fields, and she prefers if someone else is there, too, running the grain cart or moving the truck. She is a big safety advocate.

The bad part about having a little helper? Breakdowns. Sheilah has heard a lot of "Daddy combine broke mommy" this year. Good thing he knows what a wrench is!

I have to say, I never knew how much having a little boy around would change my world or make me adapt to things in a different way. It may be a little more time-consuming to have little helpers, but that is time I’m willing to take to make memories for all of us.

I can only imagine what it will be like when little brother is big enough to come along, too!

Sheilah and Mike Reskovac and their sons farm near Uniontown, Pa. Check out all of their "Two Hearts, One Harvest" blogs.

About the Author(s)

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac

Bloggers

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac are a young farming couple just starting their second year of marriage and farming together, near Uniontown, Pa. He's a first-gen farmer who met his fourth-gen farmer-bride online, and married in November 2012.

Mike grew up next to and working on his neighbor's Fayette County dairy farm through high school and college. After graduating from Penn State University in 2002 with a B.S. in Ag Systems Management, he worked as a manager at Tractor Supply stores for three years.

In 2005, he began farming his neighbor's land. Today, he and Sheilah farm 900 acres of corn and soybeans, plus do custom planting and harvesting.

Mike is president of the Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association. He also serves on the local Penn State Extension Board and is a Farm Service Agency county committee member.

Sheilah grew up on her family's Indiana County dairy farm. She graduated from DuBois Business College in 2008 with an associate's degree in Specialized Business and Medical Assistance, then worked for DuBois Regional Medical Center for four years. She also volunteered as a firefighter and EMT for the local fire company.

Since moving to Fayette County, Sheilah has been chief bookkeeper and farm assistant, along with taking classes at Penn State Fayette for Nursing. She enjoys “taking care of” groundhog problems, raking hay and mowing cornstalks.

While she enjoys cooking and baking, Mike enjoys eating the goods. Both enjoy hunting, attending concerts and county fairs, and spending time with family.

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